Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially available?

I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD 5.1 coded SPDIF 
input and convert to 6 line-level analogue outputs, and have failed to find 
one. Plenty of "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps, etc.) 
around, but that's not what I want.

David.

In article ,
 "David Looser"  wrote:

> Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially available?
> 
> I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD 5.1 coded SPDIF 
> input and convert to 6 line-level analogue outputs, and have failed to find 
> one. Plenty of "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps, etc.) 
> around, but that's not what I want.

Sounds like you want something like the long-discontinued Creative 
Decoder DDTS-100.

You might search for a surround preamp/processor. These tend to be 
pricey (Outlaw has one under $600).

Stephen

"MiNe 109"  wrote in message 
news:smcelroy2-FC29DE.08481427092008@nntp.aioe.org...
> In article ,
> "David Looser"  wrote:
>
>> Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially 
>> available?
>>
>> I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD 5.1 coded SPDIF
>> input and convert to 6 line-level analogue outputs, and have failed to 
>> find
>> one. Plenty of "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps, 
>> etc.)
>> around, but that's not what I want.
>
> Sounds like you want something like the long-discontinued Creative
> Decoder DDTS-100.

Well not quite, what I really want is a box with a power input, one digital 
input and 6 analogue outputs and nothing else. Especially no controls of any 
sort.
>
> You might search for a surround preamp/processor. These tend to be
> pricey (Outlaw has one under $600).
>
They also tend to be very complicated with lots of connectors and controls.

David.

In article ,
 "David Looser"  wrote:

> "MiNe 109"  wrote in message 
> news:smcelroy2-FC29DE.08481427092008@nntp.aioe.org...
> > In article ,
> > "David Looser"  wrote:
> >
> >> Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially 
> >> available?
> >>
> >> I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD 5.1 coded SPDIF
> >> input and convert to 6 line-level analogue outputs, and have failed to 
> >> find
> >> one. Plenty of "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps, 
> >> etc.)
> >> around, but that's not what I want.
> >
> > Sounds like you want something like the long-discontinued Creative
> > Decoder DDTS-100.
> 
> Well not quite, what I really want is a box with a power input, one digital 
> input and 6 analogue outputs and nothing else. Especially no controls of any 
> sort.

Well, it was cheap when it was available. I saw two channel devices that 
better fit your description, but no help for six channels.

> > You might search for a surround preamp/processor. These tend to be
> > pricey (Outlaw has one under $600).
> >
> They also tend to be very complicated with lots of connectors and controls.

Yes.

Stephen

On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:01:24 +0100, "David Looser"
 wrote:

>Well not quite, what I really want is a box with a power input, one digital 
>input and 6 analogue outputs and nothing else. Especially no controls of any 
>sort.

AFAIK, such has never existed except, perhaps, as a test jig from a
chip manufacturer.  Even so, I think you will have to accept (and
ignore) the controls.  I have a Technics DD decoder and, once set up,
there's no need to use controls.

Kal

"David Looser"  wrote in
message news:6k66bvF6bim1U1@mid.individual.net
> Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is
> commercially available?
> I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD
> 5.1 coded SPDIF input and convert to 6 line-level
> analogue outputs, and have failed to find one. Plenty of
> "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps,
> etc.) around, but that's not what I want.

(1) There are a number of Surround Sound processors at ridiculously high 
prices, but you already knew that.

(2) The Technics SHAC-500 might still be available as used equipment.

(3) You could always take one of the relatively cheap smaller surround 
receivers, and pad down its speaker outputs so that they were suitable for 
driving line-level inputs.

"Kalman Rubinson"  wrote in message 
news:ou9td4dd3hrom2b166veh0jutqrpnmed0k@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:01:24 +0100, "David Looser"
>  wrote:
>
>>Well not quite, what I really want is a box with a power input, one 
>>digital
>>input and 6 analogue outputs and nothing else. Especially no controls of 
>>any
>>sort.
>
> AFAIK, such has never existed except, perhaps, as a test jig from a
> chip manufacturer.  Even so, I think you will have to accept (and
> ignore) the controls.  I have a Technics DD decoder and, once set up,
> there's no need to use controls.
>
> Kal

zz

"Arny Krueger"  wrote in message 
news:6pmdnVD03O727ELVnZ2dnUVZ_j6dnZ2d@comcast.com...
> "David Looser"  wrote in
> message news:6k66bvF6bim1U1@mid.individual.net
>> Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is
>> commercially available?
>> I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD
>> 5.1 coded SPDIF input and convert to 6 line-level
>> analogue outputs, and have failed to find one. Plenty of
>> "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps,
>> etc.) around, but that's not what I want.
>
> (1) There are a number of Surround Sound processors at ridiculously high 
> prices, but you already knew that.
>
> (2) The Technics SHAC-500 might still be available as used equipment.
>
> (3) You could always take one of the relatively cheap smaller surround 
> receivers, and pad down its speaker outputs so that they were suitable for 
> driving line-level inputs.

From the little I can find out about it the SHAC-500 looks like the nearest 
approximation to what I actually want. But I've managed to acquire a dead 
Denon AVR-1705. The mains transformer has an open-circuit primary and some 
of the power transistors are suspect. Apparently it overheated in use and 
the owner decided to upgrade, rather than have it repaired. (according to 
the manual it's supposed to shut itself down if it overheats, that seems not 
to have worked).

I've just run up the small-signal parts from bench power supplies and they 
are OK. So I shall use it, taking the ouputs from what had been the feeds to 
the power amps and with a redesigned, smaller power supply. Still a bit 
bigger (physically) than I'd like, and with too many bells and whistles,but 
it'll do the job.

David.

>

David Looser wrote:

> Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially
> available?

If you can track one down Yamaha used to make something called the 
DDP-2. This was designed to work with the DSP-A592 which had a 6ch in 
but no onboard AC3 decoding. It has optical and co-ax inputs for DVD/LD 
and TV/DBS and responds to the same remote commands as the 592.

I've got one somewhere, boxed and perfect condition. New cost £399, make 
me an offer (UK only) and if I can find it in the attic (in its box)...

-- 
  Squirrel Solutions Ltd                             Tel: (01453) 845735
  http://www.squirrelsolutions.co.uk/                Fax: (01453) 843773

  Registered in England: 05877408

"Glenn Richards"  wrote in message 
news:l_6dncSPTYjqTHHVnZ2dnUVZ8g6dnZ2d@eclipse.net.uk...
> David Looser wrote:
>
>> Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially
>> available?
>
> If you can track one down Yamaha used to make something called the DDP-2. 
> This was designed to work with the DSP-A592 which had a 6ch in but no 
> onboard AC3 decoding. It has optical and co-ax inputs for DVD/LD and 
> TV/DBS and responds to the same remote commands as the 592.
>
> I've got one somewhere, boxed and perfect condition. New cost £399, make 
> me an offer (UK only) and if I can find it in the attic (in its box)...
>
What surround delay range does it have?

David.

David Looser wrote:

> What surround delay range does it have?

0-15ms - standard range for AC-3 I believe.

-- 
  Squirrel Solutions Ltd                             Tel: (01453) 845735
  http://www.squirrelsolutions.co.uk/                Fax: (01453) 843773

  Registered in England: 05877408

"David Looser"  wrote in
message news:6kad4tF6sb2iU1@mid.individual.net

> From the little I can find out about it the SHAC-500
> looks like the nearest approximation to what I actually
> want. But I've managed to acquire a dead Denon AVR-1705.
> The mains transformer has an open-circuit primary and
> some of the power transistors are suspect. Apparently it
> overheated in use and the owner decided to upgrade,
> rather than have it repaired. (according to the manual
> it's supposed to shut itself down if it overheats, that
> seems not to have worked).
> I've just run up the small-signal parts from bench power
> supplies and they are OK. So I shall use it, taking the
> ouputs from what had been the feeds to the power amps and
> with a redesigned, smaller power supply. Still a bit
> bigger (physically) than I'd like, and with too many
> bells and whistles,but it'll do the job.

Sounds like an effective use of an available resource.

Good luck! ;-)

"Glenn Richards"  wrote in message 
news:vcSdnfXnq88CJW7VnZ2dnUVZ8vudnZ2d@eclipse.net.uk...
> David Looser wrote:
>
>> What surround delay range does it have?
>
> 0-15ms - standard range for AC-3 I believe.
>

Standard range for domestic surround sound decoders maybe (nothing whatever 
to do with the use of AC3 coding of course). Rather to short for my purposes 
though, I need something closer to 50ms.

David.